Device for Protecting Buildings or Installations

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for protecting buildings or installations from external influences by means of wire cables that are stretched around at least part of the building or installation. According to the invention, the wire cables are subjected to a tractive force, and the ends thereof or the extensions thereof are arranged in a clamping body comprising a guide that is embodied in such a way that, when the tractive force increases, the resistance force (reaction) opposed by the clamping body grows in an essentially proportional manner.

The invention relates to a system for protecting buildings or structuresagainst external influences with wire cables that are placed undertension over and/or around at least a part of the building or structure.

Such a system is described in DE 10155174 A1. In order to provide thenecessary protection to certain buildings (or structures) againstexternal influences, e.g. protection of chemical plants containinghighly toxic or highly explosive materials, nuclear-power facilities, orimportant public buildings, it is proposed that wire cables be stretchedaround the buildings (or structures), under tension, with thicknesses ofat least 5 mm. One objective of this arrangement is to protect buildings(or structures) against intentional crashes of aircraft into them.

It is known that in the case of a crash (intentional or accidental) ofan aircraft, wire cables have a cutting action on the parts of theaircraft, so the cables absorb an appreciable part of the kinetic energyof the impacting aircraft, and bring about early damage to ordestruction of the aircraft. When the aircraft strikes the wire cables,any unavoidable explosions will occur earlier than otherwise(substantially earlier, if the distance of the wire cables from thebuilding is sufficiently great), so that the blast effect of theexplosion against the building can be appreciably limited. The wirecables under tension cannot prevent parts of the aircraft from affectingthe building or structure, but the resulting damage is much less thanfrom a direct impact where the aircraft actually penetrates into thebuilding or structure and releases kerosene that gives rise to ragingfires. The particular shape of the cables, particularly their spacing,their distance from the building, and their diameter and thickness, canbe s adjusted to the given desired protective conditions, and to thedegree of modifications to the buildings that can be accomplished atreasonable expense.

A precondition for the cutting action of the wire cables and theattendant protective effect of the system is that the wire cables notbreak. Accordingly, it was proposed in the above-cited document that thewire cables be connected to elastic bodies, preferably helical springs,so as to increase the elasticity of the tensioning of the wire cables.However, in practice it is very difficult to provide elastic bodies thathave directional constants is that determine the restoration force,which constants are optimal and remain optimal with the passage of time.These problems are not only characteristic of the protective systemsproposed in the above-cited publication but they are present in anysituation in which one seeks to have secure and stable holding andtensioning of wire cables in a holding mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to devise a system forprotecting buildings or structures against external influences with wirecables that are placed under tension over and/or around at least a partof the building or structure, so that, in a simple manner, when thetensile force acting on the wire cable (active force) is increased, aresistance force (reaction force) is generated in the wire cable holdingmechanism, which resistance force is optimally adjusted to the activeforce.

To attain this object, a system is proposed having the combination offeatures according to claim 1, wherein according to the invention thewire cables are maintained under tension, and their ends or extensionsthereof are anchored in a clamping body or the like that has a guidethat is shaped such that when the tension is increased the reactionforce presented by the clamping body is increased generallyproportionally thereto.

Additional solutions are proposed that will be described individuallyhereinbelow. First, it is possible to make the (hollow tubular) guidefor the end of the wire cable and/or of extensions of the wire cableconical so that, in the generally un-stressed or only slightly stressedstate, the outside surface of the wire cable rests against an innersurface of the guide or is spaced at a distance therefrom. When tensionis applied to the wire cable, it is drawn into a conical shape and atfirst additional friction and later actual deformation occurs. Thissolution may be provided purely geometrically by the construction of thecable and the guide, in certain circumstances it may also be providedmechanically, to which end an active mechanism is employed, controlledwith the aid of, e.g. a system for measuring travel, so that control isexerted by causing the inner surface of the guide to be narrowed and/orotherwise reduced in size. The situation is analogous for extensionsconnected to the wire cable ends, which extensions may have differentshapes, e.g. a strip-like shape.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the material of theinner surface of the guide for the wire cable (or an extension of thecable) is selected to be harder than the material of the end of the wirecable and/or the material of the end of the extension, so that when atensile force is exerted on the cable end (or extension end) that pullsthe end into the guide having a narrowing shape, the end must undergodeformation to a smaller external diameter. Preferably the relevantdiameters are adjusted such that the wire cable (or extension) isplastically deformed when it undergoes relative movement through theguide in the direction of the tensile force.

It is basically also possible for the wire cable ends to be divided intoa plurality of partial cable elements that are maintained at a mutualspacing so that the conical end region of the wire cable is formed bythese wire cable ends.

The guide means in the holding body be formed from a conical tube orpassage whose periphery is closed, or from clamping jaws disposed atmutual angles, or from spring-loaded rolls.

The ends of the wire cables or wire-cable extensions can also haveconfigurations that have a multiple stepwise broadening, so that, when atensile force is applied to the wire cable, the wire cable undergoesstepwise yielding. If the diameter of the wire cable end broadensgradually (steplessly), then, depending on the materials and theirdegrees of deformation, the reaction force increases generallyproportionally to the increase of diameter. According to a comparableinventive configuration, a die like a drawing die is provided, and amaterial of greater diameter is drawn through the die and is reduced indiameter. Generally, the resistance presented by the forces active inthe deformation ought to be the same for all of the cables that serve toprotect a given building or structure. In special cases, however, it ispossible that different reaction forces will be provided by differentcables, to which end one might select a configuration wherein one ormore cables will break sooner than other cables, namely under a lowerstress. If control means are provided for controlling these differencesin reaction force, under certain circumstances one can utilize thisfeature to alter the flight path of an impacting aircraft.

It is also possible, within the scope of the present invention, toconnect a plurality of cables to a plate-like strip that is anchored ina holding system (e.g. clamping system) and that is shaped such that itswidth increases with distance from the end by which it is connected tothe cables. The strip may be wound up, e.g. on a roll. When a tensileforce is applied to the strip via the cable(s) connected to it, thestrip can undergo a relative movement in the direction of the appliedforce only by deformation.

To increase the cutting effect, it has also been proposed to coat thesurface of the wire cables, at least in partial regions, with ahot-pressed abrasive cutting material, or to provide the cables withhooks or teeth or similar ripping or cutting implements. Alternatively,the wire cables may be given an oval or blade-shaped cross sectionsimilar to a knife blade. Similarly to a knife edge, the cutting edge ofthe wire cable may be provided with a wavy or serrated edge, to optimizecutting capability. The inventive concept also includes the possibilityof applying a high voltage to the wire cable and/or applying explosivecharges, to exert the maximum possible destructive influence upon animpacting aircraft. The greater the damage to the aircraft outside thebuilding the less the chance that the aircraft and its dangerouskerosene will penetrate inside the building. The fuel is dangerousbecause it will ignite and spread fire within the building. For example,in the case of the World Trade Center towers, it was the effect of thefire and its attendant heat on the supporting structure that led to thecollapse of the towers.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the wire cables can becontained within and/or on the facade or roof of the building, forprotection.

Accommodating the wire cables in the facade and/or roof of the buildingthat one seeks to protect, not only hides the cables from the sight ofonlookers, but also provides a safe, secure, and reliable means ofstoring the wire cables during periods in which the building orstructure does not need protection against external influences. Thus oneavoids circumstances in which, intentionally or otherwise, the systemitself, in which the wire cables are under constant tension, suffersdamage from external influences.

Preferably, for protective storage purposes the wire cables areaccommodated in profiles that are mounted in the facades and roof, e.g.when one is retrofitting an existing building or structure, the profilesmay be applied outside on the facades and/or roof. These profiles form acavity, individually or in combination with the structure of the facade.To tension them, the wire cables are moved out of the cavity.

Profiles mounted in or on the facades and/or roof, for accommodating thewire cables, are included in the structure and design of the facadesand/or roof, or are adapted to the existing such structures and designs,so that they are incorporated in the structures and designs of thefacades and/or roof, and are not perceived as unattractive. Particularlywith public buildings or structures, degradation of the appearance ofthe building or structure, which appearance has a representativefunction, is undesirable.

Further, the inventive system may be specifically and intentionallyemployed as a decorative element.

According to a particular embodiment of the protective system, theholding body in which the end of the wire cable or of the wire-cableextension is held is translationally moveably connected to the buildingor structure. Furthermore, T-shaped rails or the like may be recessed inthe ground around the building or structure, on which rails the clampingbodies, and/or movable carriages for accommodating the clamping bodies,can be moved. The movement of a clamping body or carriage along therails, in a direction away from the building or structure, while theupper ends of the wire cables are attached to the upper regions of thefacade or to the roof or a central mast mounted on the roof, results inthe wire cables being moved out of their normal seated position andplaced under tension. In the event that a wire cable breaks, a pluralityof other wire cables are present positioned side by side in the cavity,which cables can be successively placed under tension, so that thetensioning process can be repeated and the system can be restored tofunctionality. In this connection, the carriage can be equipped with agrab similar to that on an aircraft carrier, so that if a given cableplaced under tension breaks, the carriage can be returned and can engagethe next cable, pull the next cable out, and place it under tension.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wire cablesare connected to profiles that are mounted on the region of the facadesand/or roof and that are rotatable and/or swingable and/ortranslationally movable, so that by a suitable movement of the profilesthe wire cables are drawn out of their protective storage locations andare placed under tension. According to this embodiment, one may omitpositioning a wire cable and/or profile near the ground, in order tomaintain the usability of the access areas and traffic areas around thebuilding. This also avoids possible injury to persons from tensionedwire cables near the ground.

According to a embodiment of the invention, a frame structure isprovided that is positioned outside the original facade, to serve as anadditional facade. The frame structure may be mounted on rails so as tobe rotatable and/or translationally movable, so that the position of theframe structure with respect to the building or structure may bechanged, e.g. to increase the distance between the frame structure andthe building, or to move the frame structure around the building. Thewire cables are accommodated inside the frame structure, and when neededthey may be withdrawn from the frame structure and tensioned likecurtains. The wire cables may be oriented horizontally and/or verticallyand/or diagonally, e.g. at a particular angle); one can constructnet-like structures.

A frame structure disposed outside the facade may exercise additionalfunctions, e.g. it may accommodate concealing elements orshade-providing elements; and/or spotlights for casting light on thebuilding or structure at night. The frame structure may be employed asan architectonic element, and ought to be included in the design of anew building or structure with which it is to be used. Even an existingbuilding can be architecturally enhanced by adding an appropriate framestructure.

Advantageously, the described system has central control means that areconnected to a warning system. When a warning of a hazard is issued, thesystem is actuated, manually or automatically, and the wire cables arewithdrawn from their seats and placed under tension. If the wire cablesare attached to profiles, during the ensuing rotational and/or swingingand/or translational movement of the profiles an alarm is triggered, sothat individuals who are present, particularly individuals who might bein the path of movement of the system, will be given notice and can moveout of the way in timely fashion.

Embodiments of the inventive system are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Therein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wire cable end that is held inthe guide of a clamping body;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a building with outwardlymoveable, and swingable, profiles in the roof region;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a building with swingable profilesin the roof region;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a building with fan-likeout-swinging profiles in the roof region;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a building with translationallydisplaceable swing-out profiles in the facade region;

FIG. 6 is a frame structure that is mounted outside the facade and thatis rotatable and/or translationally displaceable;

FIG. 7 is a frame structure disposed outside the facade.

The clamping body 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a guide 11 with a conicalinterior surface. The wire cable has a small-diameter region 12, amiddle region 13 with a conical transition, and a cylindrical end region14. If the wire cable is moved in the direction of arrow 15 by means ofexisting tensile forces, the conical outer surface 16 of the middleregion 13 is forced against the conical inner surface 11 of the guide,as a result of which it is only possible to further move the wire cablein the direction of arrow 15 if the wire cable is plastically deformedto a smaller diameter. The inventive wire cable clamping means providesa relatively strong and secure, unyielding clamping that has sufficientgive when the tensile force is substantially increased that one avoidsbreakage of the wire cable as would occur if a fully rigid clampingmeans were employed. On the other hand, the clamping means is not soyielding as would be the case with a spring-loaded clamping means orclamping means that exhibit compliance over time when in use. Inparticular, the proposed wire cable clamping means has the advantagethat undesirable vibrations and oscillations such as can occur withspring means are essentially avoided.

In alternative embodiments, the transitions of the outer surface 16 maybe realized in a stepwise manner. The clamping system 10 may becomprised of jaws that may have fixed spacings or spacings that areadjustable. The wire cable end may be connected to an extension that mayhave a strip shape, which extension may have regions that are deformablevia a clamping system 10.

The building 21 illustrated schematically in FIG. 2 has verticallyextending profiles 22 that provide protective storage means for the wirecables. The functioning of the inventive system may be illustrated usingthe example of a given wire cable 23 under tension. In order to exerttension on the wire cable 23, a profile 24 disposed in the region of theroof to which the upper end of the wire cable 23 is fixed is movedoutward in the direction of arrow a and is swung upward in the directionof arrow b. The movement of the profile 24 pulls the wire cable 23 offthe receiving means, and places the wire under tension. The lower end ofthe wire cable 23 is held in the receiving means in a manner such thatit is translationally movable, and it is moved in the direction of arrowc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a variant of the system illustrated in FIG. 2.Instead of the extensible profile, pivotable profiles 25 are supportedagainst a central mast 26, and form a generally conical roof. Thegenerally conical shape is governed by the basic shape of the building,which need not be a circle. In order to place the wire cable 23 undertension, the profile 25 is pivoted outward from the tip of the mast inthe direction of arrow d. The wire cable 23 that is connected to thefree end of the profile 25 is carried along. This causes the foot pointof the wire cable 23 to be translationally moved in the direction ofarrow c, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2. The upper end of thewire cable 23 is connected to the top of the mast 26. In order toprovide additional length to the wire cable, the upper end of the wirecable 23 can also be accommodated in the mast, and to exert tension onthe wire cable it can be withdrawn.

FIG. 4 illustrates an inventive system comprised of interfittingprofiles 27 disposed in the plane of the roof, which profiles 27 areswingable upward in a fan-like manner in the direction of arrow e. Withthis swinging movement, the wire cable 23 is carried along, and is drawnoutward from its protective storage location flush with the surface ofthe roof.

In the configuration according to FIG. 5, the wire cables areaccommodated in the plane of the facade. The facade carries profiles 28are disposed that are translationally moveable in the direction of arrowf and simultaneously are swingable in the direction of arrow g.

The wire cables 23 are attached to the free ends of pivotal legs of theprofile 28, so that they are entrained and are placed under tension. InFIG. 6, the translational movements of the profiles 28 are illustratedon the left side, and the swinging movements of the profiles 28 areillustrated on the right side.

Alternatively to the above-described configurations, FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate a frame structure 29, 29′ disposed outside the facade whoseposition is changeable with respect to the building.

FIG. 6 illustrates a frame structure 29 that is disposed at a distancefrom the building 21. The wire cables 23 are accommodated in a lateralpart of the frame structure 29. The ends of the wire cables, here thelower and upper ends, are translationally movably held in the framestructure 29, so that the wire cables can be pulled out of theirprotective storage locations, in the direction of arrow i, like acurtain. The frame structure 29 can be moved along rails 20 installed inthe ground and can be moved in a circle around the building 21 (seearrow h). The frame structure 29 can be positioned like a protectiveshield, e.g. to protect a particular region of the building.

In FIG. 7 the basic shape of the building is rectangular. The buildingcan however have essentially any shape. The frame structure 29′ ismovable outward from the building 21 in the direction of arrow j, alongrails 20 installed in the ground. This movement results in increasing ofthe distance between the frame structure 29′ and the building 21.Analogously to the configuration according to FIG. 6, the wire cables 23are accommodated in a side part of the frame structure 29′, and can bepulled out when necessary.

The inventive system is not limited in applicability to a particularbasic shape of a building or structure, nor to a particular constructionof the facade or roof. Therefore, the system can be adapted for use withexisting buildings or structures. Further, combinations of the disclosedconfigurations and embodiments may be employed so that e.g. for aparticularly tall building one can conceive of using a combination ofthe configurations according to FIGS. 4 and 5. The roof and the upperregion of the facade are protected with the system according to FIG. 4,and the regions therebelow are protected with the system according toFIG. 5.

1. A system for protecting buildings or structures against externalinfluences with wire cables that are placed under tension over and/oraround at least a part of the building or structure, characterized inthat the wire cables are maintained under tension, and their ends orextensions are anchored in a clamping body or the like (10) that has aguide (11) that is shaped such that when the tensile force is increasedthe reaction force presented by the clamping body (10) is increasedgenerally proportionally to the tensile force.
 2. A system according toclaim 1, characterized in that the guide (11) for the end of the wirecable (13) and/or for an extension of the cable end has a peripheralsurface that narrows progressively in the direction of the tensile forceand that is preferably conical.
 3. A system according to claim 1,characterized in that the material of the inner surface of the guide(11) of the clamping body (10) is harder than the material of the end ofthe wire cable (13) or the material of the extension of the end.
 4. Asystem according to claim 3, characterized in that the wire cable or itsextension is plastically deformed when relative movement occurs throughthe guide (11) in the direction of the tensile force (15).
 5. A systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the end of the wire cable orits extension is divided into a plurality of partial cable elements thatare disposed at mutual acute angles.
 6. A system according to claim 5,characterized in that the guide (11) for the wire cable or for itsextension is comprised of a plurality of clamping jaws or spring-loadedrolls that are mounted at individual mutual angles.
 7. A systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the extension of the wirecable is comprised of a strip-like body that preferably is wound on aroll.
 8. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the wirecable or the extension thereof, has a multiple stepwise broadening or acontinuous broadening.
 9. A system according to claim 1, characterizedin that different cables have different reaction forces or differentbreakage strengths.
 10. A system according to claim 1, characterized inthat the wire cables (23) can be accommodated in/at the facade or roofof the building or structure, for protective storage.
 11. A systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that a frame structure (29, 29′)is provided outside the building or structure that offers an additionalfacade surface in which the wire cables can be accommodated, forprotective storage.
 12. A system according to claim 1, characterized inthat profiles (22) mounted on or in the facade or roof form cavities inwhich wire cables can be accommodated, for protective storage.
 13. Asystem according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping body(10) in which the end of a wire cable (23) or the extension thereof isheld is translationally movably connected to the building or structure.14. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire cables(23) are connected to profiles (24, 25, 27, 28) that are mounted on orin the facades or roof and that can be rotated, swung, or movedtranslationally.
 15. A system according to claim 14, characterized inthat the profiles (24, 25, 27, 28) cause the wire cables (23) to bepulled out of the wire cable storage places and to be placed undertension, by means of rotational, swinging, or translational movement ofthe profiles.
 16. A system according to claim 13, characterized in thatthe profiles (22, 24, 25, 27, 28) and/or frame structures (29, 29′) areessentially comprised of metal.
 17. A system according to claim 1,characterized in that the wire cables placed under tension form a netstructure.
 18. A system according to claim 14, characterized in thatcentral control means are provided for the rotational, swinging, ortranslational movement of the profiles (24, 25, 27, 28) and/or the framestructures (29, 29′).
 19. A system according to claim 18, characterizedin that the control means are connected to a warning system (alarmsystem).